I am starting up the king John's Siege Companycirca 1215 approx. I know I put up a thread about this already so bare with me. Being a Limerick man and King John's castle in the centre of limerick city I thought it would be a novel idea to name the Siege company after the castle. I hope to cover all the 13th century period and later the 14th as time goes on. I hope to get started on the trebuchet build in the summer of 2009. Ciaran, Dave, Beth, John and Brendan have signed up already to be part of the construction crew and treb operation crew as well. I think we will need to bang our heads together regarding a number of issues.

Fundraising

Building the Trebuchet

Ouality of kit and equipment

Logistics(getting treb from A to B)

Website

Target area(bread and butter gigs)

These are just a few of of the concerns I have Guys about this project. Anybody else interested in joining up are most welcome and so are any good ideas. SEAN

Fundraising: Heritage Council grants scheme forms went live today. Needs to be a Local thing to closer guarantee getting the dosh though. Do a tight proposal and give SH an offer they can't refuse. PM you on that.

Building the Trebuchet: You have a site, need shelter. I could get a marquee that would give us length but not hight. Forestry poles, ropes and tarp would be attainable for home made shelter (sorry have to think working in the rain given past few years summer weather).

Quality of kit and equipment: Authenticity police please stand up! Check the list of signatories so far! I want it right or I'll go into a sulk.

Logistics(getting treb from A to B): Low loader? Or Your usual truck contact.

Target area(bread and butter gigs): Any castle in Ireland that has it's outer walls and a field to fire from. Cahir Castle springs to mind for a start. John's only gives out going fire to river. Anybody got any other castles could do with a stuffing?

Just thought 'King John' ref. might limit us to location and era, if we wanted to stretch it out later on. However the 1200's date you gave above and in another thread will make getting the costume together easier as if you've no solid historic basis for the kit it's not happening.We may want to be some way uniform in status at least and keep it to more common man fire crews than Knights in heavy armour. (Ooh flaps and hose time )We'll be more comfortable and it'll look better.

The simple 'Siege' name mentioned elsewhere works a bit better for me.

I was googleing 'Siegecraft' to see if it's in use in a re-enactment context as a name and I can't find anyone using it. I was, however, also looking into using John's nickname 'Lackland' but couldn't find another word to go with it. It would tie in whit the real reason for taking an interest in Ireland in the first place.

Can I suggest that we do this in increments as well, so as the members build their way up in working knowledge. Like build a few small ones (with whatever wood comes to hand) to get to grips with the science and to start the training and drill early. I like the idea of us making the small slings on the pole, and mini post trebs (3 man unit) to go along with it as well. I'll provide a link to a company doing that when I get home, searches in work aren't leading me to the same sites as before)

Hi Dave. I thought 'SIEGE' was a good name also. We can stick with that one no problem. You should chect out our old web site http://societyofknights.tk You will see the treb I built back in 1999.( look under equipment) I still have that engine, it needs a little repair but would be good to go. When you see my old treb you will realise that we can build a larger scale one quite easily. Regarding kit, you are looking at a warhat, chainmail coif. short gameson, shirt ,hoes, boots, arm greeves, leather belt, maybe a short surcoat to state who we are. We should also look at a Mangonel and archers walls. With the old treb I would be able to teach everyone how to use one and then create a firing team. I thought castles in Britain would be good for paying events. We need a website and brochures to sell the package we will have.

just saw this topic and i got to say i'm interested, seeing the treb at killmallock last year was great and the public loved it, so a group specialising in siege weapons would be a lot of fun. anyway, let me know if you want help with building stuff, or anything.